Patidar: Mindset is the same as last year’s final – RCB Captain Speaks

Ahead of the high-stakes IPL 2026 grand finale, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) captain Rajat Patidar remains remarkably composed. In addressing the media ahead of Sunday’s clash, he made it clear that the team is not carrying the weight of expectation. For him and his squad, Patidar: Mindset is the same as last year’s final, emphasizing a focus on the present moment rather than dwelling on past success or future legacy.

Staying Grounded Amid the Noise

As RCB prepares for another shot at glory in Ahmedabad, Patidar is keeping external distractions at bay. There has been intense chatter regarding his future, potential T20I selection, and even India captaincy. However, the RCB skipper is completely detached from these discussions. He prefers to enjoy the occasion that his team has worked incredibly hard to reach.

“I’ve never thought about what other captains have done before or whether I want to compete with someone,” Patidar stated prior to RCB’s training session. “As an individual, my journey has had its ups and downs, but I’ve never focused on that [captaincy, legacy]. Wherever I am, I focus on what I can do best in that moment. I’ve never thought too much about moving forward or looking back. Right now, we’re focused on giving our best in the final.”

Authentic Leadership and Strong Backing

Patidar took over the reins of the team and immediately found success, winning the IPL title in 2025 during his very first season in charge. Despite this early milestone, he insists there is no pressure to prove a point. Instead, he views his role as a continuous learning curve, aided heavily by the seasoned campaigners in the squad.

“It’s a great opportunity for me to learn from so many experienced players,” Patidar remarked. “At the same time, I’ve never tried to change myself. It’s important to be yourself. Just because I’m captain doesn’t mean I need to become someone different. The management has played a big role. They’ve never forced me to be anyone else.”

He credited the RCB support structure for allowing him to thrive in his natural state. “They know what kind of person I am. The senior players also understand that. I’ve had good backing from both the management and the senior players, so I’ve never really faced any problems. I’m just staying in my zone and that’s helping me,” he added.

A New Season, A Familiar Mission

Despite his efforts to downplay personal accolades and potential international captaincy rumors, Patidar was asked directly about his ambitions. His response was characteristically straightforward, steering the conversation back to the task at hand with RCB.

“I haven’t visualised myself as India’s T20 captain,” he explained. “But every captain wants to win trophies. We won one last year, but this is a new season. You can’t keep talking about what happened in 2025. You have to stay in the present and focus on what you can do now to win another title.”

Reflecting on the difference between this year and their previous campaign, Patidar noted that the team’s core approach remains unchanged. “To be honest, I don’t think we’ve changed much,” he said. “The mindset is the same. We’re not thinking like defending champions. We don’t see it as defending something we won in 2025. It’s a new season and a new opportunity. Our mindset is that we’re here to win another title.”

Empowering the Next Generation

One of Patidar’s key focuses throughout this long and demanding season has been nurturing the younger talent within the squad. He believes in empowering them to think independently, drawing from his own early experiences as an upcoming player when he first broke through in 2021.

“I always try to spend time with them,” Patidar shared. “I tell them it’s important to be yourself and trust your strengths. I’ve been in that situation myself. In 2021, I was looking at all the senior players and there was naturally some anxiety and nervousness. What I tell them is that they don’t need to worry about who’s standing in front of them or who is in the dressing room. They’re here because they deserve to be here. Focus on your strengths and on the things you can control. That’s the main message.”

The Rise of Rasikh Dar and Team Effort

A crucial element of RCB’s success this season has been the performance of their bowling unit, especially in the face of injuries. Patidar reserved high praise for young bowler Rasikh Dar, who has stepped up brilliantly in the absence of Yash Dayal. Rasikh has emerged as RCB’s second-highest wicket-taker this season, claiming 16 wickets.

“When you have bowlers like Bhuvi and Hazlewood, you still need support from the rest of the attack,” Patidar pointed out. “The way Rasikh has come in and provided breakthroughs has been very important. You can’t win matches or tournaments relying on just one or two bowlers. He’s bowled superbly throughout the tournament and helped ensure the workload isn’t falling only on a couple of players. It’s been a genuine team effort.”

A Culture Built on Responsibility

RCB’s resurgence over the years is evident in their consistency; they have now reached the playoffs five times in the last six seasons. Patidar attributes this sustained success to a cultural shift within the squad where every player takes ownership of their role.

“My observation is that every player now takes responsibility, whether it’s with the bat or the ball,” Patidar concluded. “Responsibility is probably the key word. Every individual is keen to contribute and do something for the team. The other thing is the mindset. We’re not here just to qualify for the playoffs. We’re here to play finals and win finals. I think that mindset has changed the most.”